Coiling machine



Oct--13, 1931. K. WILLIAMS 1,327,056

COILINIG MACHINE Filed July 3, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 13, 1931. K. WILLIAMS comm momma Filed July 3, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 m v m a 0 7 WM 0 Wm Q W O \Q M Q v @0 mm WE \w Oct. 13, 1931. K. WILLIAMS 1,327,056

COILING MACHINE Filed July 5, 192,9 8 Sheets-sheaf, 5

% Zrzuw 3371:"

MW w 10 1/7- Oct. 13, 1931. K. WILLIAMS 1,827,056

COILING MACHINE I Filed July 3, 1929 a Sheets-Sheet 4 fly 4 Oct. 13, 1931. K. WiLLIAMS COILING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 13, 1931. K. WILLIAMS 1,827,056

COILING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 J-AI II If A Z3 SZ I W/ W Patented Oct. 1 3, 1931 I i PATENT OFFICE nnrrrrwrmmns, orv BUFFALO, rrnw YORK, nssienon 'ro PRATT & LETCHWORTH COMPANY, or BUFFALO, new YORK, A CORPORATION on OHIO comma MACHINE Application filed. July 3,

This invention relates to improvements in coiling machines especially designed for producing helical springs. I

@no object of the invention is to'provide an '5 nt spring-coiling machine so designed v operate at high speed, thereby providing 1112 aimum capacity.

Another object of the inventionis to provide a spring-coiling machine, including a rotary mandrel on which the material is coiled, together with bearing means for supporting the free end ofthe. mandrel, wherethe bearing means is disengageable from mandrel. so as to clear the end of the 1 thus permitting ready withdrawal or stripping of the finished coil spring from the mandrel. Y Q v A; further object of the invention is to prodo a coiling machine of the character infor forming helical springs from bar material, including a rotary coiling manlrcl, means for guiding to the mandrel the bar from which the spring is torm'ed, means J3 feeding the guide memberlengthwise of mandrel while the bar is wound on the together with fluidmperated means for returning the guide to its initial p st after the completion of each coiling operation. v

.a'ino'ther object of the invention is to r0- ide a machine for coiling springs, inclu ing a -cal form to ether with means for clam 1e leading end of the bar to the mandrel,

ureln the clamping means is operated by Fund pressure to quickly and effectively clamp the end of the bar to the mandrelg i l further ob ect of the invention is to otary mandrel on which a bar is coiled to be coiling machine including afrotary 1929. semi is. 375,622,

posed at substantially right angles to the axis of the coil. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a coiling machine including a rotary mandrel on which a helically coiled spring is formed and a; breakdown roller cooperating with the mandrel, wherein the roller is moved toward and away from the mandrel by fluidoperated means. p

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for formingcoile'd' springs from bar material, including a rotary coiling mandrel and a breakdown roller cooperating with the mandrel, wherein the roller is reciprocably mounted on a support adjustable lengthwise of the mandrel to different fixed positions to dispose the roller in proper oper-, ative relation to cooperate with springs of difl'erentlengths. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism including a rotary coiling mandrel permanently supported at one end andhaving a movable bearing support cooperating with the other end thereof, whereby the bearing member is retractable to disengage the same from the end of the mandrel, the bearing member being swingable to a position out of line with the mandrel so as to entirely clear the same and permit quick stripping of the finished coil spring there- I from. v p g p a A further object of the invention is to pro vide a bearing support for the free end of the rotary mandrel of a coiling machine, wherein the bearing support is retracted by fluid: operated meansso as todisengagethe same from the end of the mandreh Another object or the invention is to pro vide a machine for coilingsprings, including a rotary mandrel on which the coils are ed means for returning the guide to initial position after the completion of each coiling operation, and a fluid-operated breakdown roller for finishin the one of the coil, wherein all of the fluid-operated means are under the direct control of the machine attendants.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a coiling machine ill strating my improvements connection th-rewith. Figure 2 is a. front elevational view of the machine lllllcn trated in Figure 1. Figure 8 is a rear elevaticnal view thereof. Figure -l is an end elevarion of the machine shown in Figure 1., looking from the left in said Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the machine illustrated in Figure 1, looking from the right. Figure 6 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 66 of Figure l. v Figure 7 is a horizontal, sectional view of the guide means for the bar material, corresponding substantially to the line 7-7 of Figure 6. Fi ure 8 is a top plan view of the clamping means of my improved mechanism, together with the operating means therefor and associated parts of the machine. Figure 9 is a longitudinal, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 9-9 of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a vertical, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 10-1O of Figure 9. Fig are 11 is a diagrannnatic plan view of certain control valves of my improved mechanism. Figure 12 is a view of the feed screw of the mechanism, partly broken away, illustrating the cooperating feed nut in connection therewith. Figure 13 is a transverse, vertical. sectional view corresponding substantially to the line of Figure 12. Figure 14 is a detailed view of the feed nut which cooperates with the screw, which effectsfeedi-no; of the guide means. And Figure 15 is a plan view of the finished article formed my improved mechanism.

My improved coiling machine is of that type wherein the springs are formed from bar material which is coiled or wound about a rotary mandrel so as to form a spiral member. A machine of this type is illustrated in the drawings and comprises a supporting frame 10 on which the operating mechanism of the machine is carried. In the present in stance, the coiling machine is illustrated as driven by an electric motor 11, which is iounted on the floor adjacent the machine and is operatively connected thereto in any well-known manner, the same being herein shown as provided with a driving belt 12 co o iierating with a drive pulley 13 on the electric motor and a pulley 1st of the coiling machine.

in carrying out my invention, 1 provide a cylindrical mandrel drive shaft 15 which is suitably journaled in bearings of the framework 10. The shaft 15 is rotated by suitable drive gearing driven from the pulley 14. As shown, the pulley 1 is mounted on a trans verse shaft 16 journaled in the framework 10 of the machine and extending through the same and having one end rotatably supported in the bearing member of a supporting pedestel 17 at the front side of the coiling machine. Driving gearing of any suitable character to produce rotation of the shaft 15 in the proper direction is terposed between the same and shaft 16. At the outer end, the shaft 15 carries a chuck 18 which is rotatable in unison therewith. The coiling mandrel of the machine, which is indicated by 19, is connected at one end to the chuck 18 in operative relation more clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9. As shown in taese figures, the chuck 18 is provided with a bore 20 adapted to r ceive an extension 21 at the inner end of the mandrel. As will be evident, the mandrel 19 is thus detachable and different diameters of man drels may be applied to the chuck so that the machine may be employed to produce h elical springs of various diameters.

As most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, a feed screw 22 is rotatably mounted at the rear of the frame 10 of the machine, the feed screw having its opposite ends journal ed in bearing members 23-23 fixed to the frame 10. As most clearly shown in Figures 1, 3, 12, 13 and 1.4-, the feed screw 22 is provided with spiral threads which cooperate with a feed nut 24 for a purpose hereinafter more fully pointed out. At the left hand end of the machine, as shown in Figure 1, the cylindrica] bearing portion of the feed screw 22 extends outwardly beyond the bearing; member23 and has a driving gear 25 fixed thereto. The driving gear 25 meshes with idler gear 26 which in turn meshes with the gear 27 driven in any suitable manner from the drive shaft 16. The feed screw 22 is employed to edect feeding of the bar material lengthwise of the mandrel during the coiling operation so as to form a helical spring of the desired pitch. In order to vary the rate at which the bar being coiled is fed lengthwise of the mandrel during the coiling operation, the speed of rotation of the screw 22 with respect to the mandrel is altered. the present instance, the idler gear 26 is shown as mounted on a swinging arm 28 which has a portion pivotally supported on the shaft of the feed screw 22 and lower extremity which is clamped to the frame 1O of the machine by a clamping member 29 extending through an arcuate slot in a laterally enlarged section 31 at the bottom end of the arm 2. When it is desired to change the relative speed of rotation of the screw 22, a gear of different diameter is substituted for the gear 27 and the gear 26 adjusted. so as to properly mesh with the same by swinging the arm 28 about the axis the shaft of the screw After the parts have been adjusted, the arm 28 islclamped in position by the lockingclamp member 29, The arrangement of the gearing between the drive shaft 16 and the screw 22 and between the drive shaft and themandrel shaft 15.is such that the screw 22 which has a lefthand thread will be rotated in the same direction as the rotary movement of the mandrel shaft,- to efiect proper feeding movement of the carriage 32 hereinafter described.

The carriage 32 is supported for longitudinal movement in the framework '10 of the machine. The carriage 32 comprises an elongated. beam-like member having sliding engagement in a support 33 at one end of the framework 10 of the machine and sliding engagement with a pair of supporting guide members 84-34 on the frame proper, one of the supports being mounted between the ends of the machine, Intermediate the ends, the carriage 32 is provided with anlenlarged section 35 which forms a holder for a guiding die means for directing the bar material to the coiling mandrel 19. As shown, the enlarged section comprises a frame member of substantially rectangular outline shown more clearly in detail in Figures 3, 6 and 7.- A die plate 36 is mounted on one side of the frame member 85 and has sliding engagement therewith As shown, the die plate 36 is out 1 on the inner face at opposite/ sides thereof to provide flange sections 37- 3:

which engage over the side edges of the openin the frame 35. At theoppo-site side of the frame, a supporting block 88 cooperates with the side members thereof, the supporting block being cut away oppositecdges on the inner side thereof to provide offset guide faceswhich engage with the outer. faces of the side members of the frame. As shown most c early in Figures 6 and 7, the block 38 is secured to the plate 36 by means of cap screws extending through the plate and threaded into openings provided in the block As will be evident, whenthe cap screws a tightened, the block 88 and me plate will be securely clamped together, abyholdingthe same rigidly to the guide 1i .i nent of the supportingblock 38 and plate vertically in the opening of the frame 35,

adjusting screws 39 are employed. As shown in gures Sand '4', the plate 36 is" provided with a central opening 40 through which the bar material fed to the coiling mandrel 19. l norder tohold down the bar during the ceiling operation, a guide rol er 41 is rotatably mounted within the bearing block 38, the guide roller being shown as provided with a concave guide groove which engages the bar, the groove being of such a width as to permit the necessary inclination of the har witl respect to the axis of the mandrel to form a spiral coil of] predetermined pitch;

35. in order to provide for fine ad-e The roller 41 is freely. rotatable on the block 38 and as shown is supported by a stub shaft extendingthrough the roller and having its oppositeends fixed in the block, the block being provided with a suitable opening of ,the'proper size to accommodate the guide tra-clockvvise direction, as viewed from the I right in Figures 1 and 2. "The nut 24 which cooperates with the feed screw is operatively connected to the carriage 32 in any suitable manner. The particular means intermit" tently connecting thefeed screw 22 in driving relation with "the carnage 32 may. be of,

any suitable type and the particular means ,enters'into my inventiononly so far as it forms an element of the operative comb1na t1on.- In the present instance, the carriage 32 is shown as provided witha supporting block or arm 42 which carries the nut member 24. As shown, themei'nber 24 is in the form of a partial nut having interior threads which are adapted to engage with the threads of the screw 22; As shown, the section 2.4 of the nut is connected to the bottom endof a pivoted lever 43 which is swing, ported on the'bracket 42 andhas the upper arm thereof extending above the bracket where the same is accessible so that it may be manipulated by the operator to throw the partial nut 24 in engagement with the threads 0f the screw 22. .As will be obvious, when the nut 24 is thus engaged with thescrew 22,

the carriage 82 will be fed lengthwise of the mandrel in fll'l'OlltWtllCl direction.

Means is provided for automatically disengaging the partial nut 24 from the screw 22 when thehelical coil has been completed.

For this purpose a stop bloclr44 having a cam face is mounted on top of the frame ofthe' machine and cooperates with the handle end of the lever 43-to throw the nut 24 out of engagement with the screw 22. as shown in detail in thedrawings, the member'44 is slidably supported on 'ahorizontallydis "posed ba-r 45 extending lengthwise of the machine andmounted above the framework 10 ofthe same, being supported at opposite gly suptuallyengage the cam face of the block, thereby forcing the upper end of the lever to the rightas shown in Figure 13 and disengaging the nut 52% at the bottom end thereof from the screw 22. Movement of the carriage will thus be immediately arrested. As will be evident, when the nut has been disengaged from the screw, he carriage is free to slide with reference to the frame of the machine. In order to effect quick return of the carriage to its initial position so that the spring coiling operation may be repeated, I provide means controlled separately from the other operating mechanism of the machine. In the present instance, the returning means is of the fluid-operated type. This means comprises a relatively long fluid cylinder 17 supported on top of the framework of the machine by suitable brackets at opposite ends of the cylinder. The cylinder has the usual piston means therewithin, having a piston rod 49 connected to an upstanding lug 50 on the framework 35 of the carriage 32 by means of a transverse bar 51 having its opposite ends secured to the outer end of the piston rod and the lug 50. The cylinder 47 is provided with a vent opening at the right hand end thereof as shown in Figure 3 to eliminate back pressure on the piston while the screw is feeding the carriage outwardly of the mandrel. The cylinder 17 is provided with valve means of any suitable character for supplying fiuio pressure to move the piston in a direction to pull the piston rod inwardly of the cylinder. As will be evident, when the piston is op erated in this manner, the carriage 32 will be quickly pulled back to its initial operative position.

In forming springs from bar meterial, the material is wound about the mandrel 19 in spiral form, the leading end of the bar material being clamped to the mandrel be-v fore beginning the coiling operation. In order to ti htly clamp the bar to the mandrel, I provide a clamping finger or jaw 52 which is slidably mounted for movement in a direction radially of the chuck 18 toward and away from the mandrel 19. The clamping finger 52 is preferably adjustably mounted on a slide 53 mounted in a guideway provided in the chuck 18. The slide 53 is yieldingly urged outwardly in the guide by means of a spring 54- interposed between an abutmentface on the chuck 18 and the bottom end of the slide. The slide is reciprocated 'oward the mandrel 19 by firhhoperated means so as to quickly and tip fly clamp the bar to the mandrel. This means comprises a cylinder 55 mounted on the base of the machine and. having suitable pipe connections and a controlling valve associated therewith for controlling the fluid pressure in the cylinder. The cylinder 55 has the usual piston member associated therewith provided with a piston rod 56 pivotally connected at one end to a lever 57 which is pivotally sup ported at 58 on the framework. of the machine. As shown, the lever 57 is connected intermediate its ends to a shifting collar 580 which cooperates with a sleeve 59 slidably mounted on the mandrel shaft 15. As shown, the lever 57 has a swiveled connection with the collar 580 and the collar engages in a guide groove 60 of the sleeve 59. The sleeve 59 has a slide 61 in the form of a bar fixed thereto, the slide being movable lengthwise in a guideway 62 formed in a sleeve portion 63 of the chuck 18. At the outer end, the bar 61 is provided with a beveled portion 64 which engages a screw 65 adjustably mounted in the free end portion of a rocking member 66 pivotally supported on a pin 67 mounted in the chuck 18. The rocking member 66 has an enlarged section 68 provided with teeth which cooperate with a rack 69 formed on the slide 53. As will be evident when the sleeve 59 is moved to the right, as viewed in Figures 8 and 9, the slide 61 will be reciprocated, thereby raising the free end of the rocking member 66 and causing the slide to move downwardly, carrying the clamping finger 52 therewith, thereby bringing the same into clamping relation with the mandrel 19. When the sleeve 59 is moved in the reverse direction to retract the slide 61, the screw 65 will ride downwardly on the beveled end portion of the slide, thereby peimitting the spring 54 to return the slide 53 to its normal position, at the same time disengaging the clamping finger 52 from the work.

A supporting bearing member 7 0 is provided for the outer end of the mandrel so as to steady the same during the coiling operation. As most clearly shown in Figure 2, the outer end of the mandrel 19 is provided with a reduced bearing portion 71 which cooperates with the bearing member 70, the latter being provided with a suitable journal opening to receive the reduced section 71. The bearing member 7 0 is supported for sliding movement toward and away from the end of the mandrel 19. As shown in Fi ures 1, 2, 5 and 6, the supporting frame 10 of the machine is provided with an offset section 72 which forms a table portion on which a dovetail guide plate or block 7 3 is secured. A dovetail slide 74 cooperates with the guide 73 and carries upstanding bracket arms 7575 between which is supported a standard 76. As shown, the standard 7 6 is providerL with a pair of arms connected at the bottom end by a sleeve 77 through which a supporting pivot 78 eX- tends. the pivot having its opposite ends mounted in the upper portions of the arms 75. The bearing proper which cooperates with the reduced end of the mandrel is at the upper end of the pedestal 76. As most .of the pedestal by operation of the lever 81, r the pedestal. will immediately rock on its pivot.

clearly shown in Figure 1, the pedestal 7 is provided with an offset weighted portion 7 9 at the bottom thereof, whereby the action to operatively connect the parts. "Theloc'kr" ing' pin works in a guideway provided on the adjacent arm 7 5 of the slide and has'the inner end thereof cooperating with a suitable locking opening provided on the offset weighted section 79 of the pedestal 7 6 As will be'evident, when the pin 80; is withdrawn from, engagement with the portion 7 9 due to the action of gravity,fthereby swing-' ing the bearing member 70 out oflinewith the mandrel 19. t I

Pn'eu'niatic means is provided for, reciprocating; the slide "I l and thepartscarried thereby, As shown, aiiuid cylinder 83 is supported on abraclret Stimmediately below the slide 7 The cylinder 88 has the usual piston cooperating therewith which is.pro vided with a piston rod 85 connected to the: bottom end ofa lever 86 pivotally supported between its ends on a pivot member 87 fixed to asupporting' arm 88 projecting from-the frar' e OfthQIHfl-Clllllfi. The upper end of the lever 86 is pivotally connected to a bar or rod 89 at one end of the latter, the opposite end.

. coun I is thr I ent lengths.

of the bar having an adjustable connection with the slide 74. As shown, the rod 891s provided with a plurality of openings 9090 to receive a connectingpivot member which is secured to the slide 7.4, the sllde being pro vided wi h a single opening within which. said connecting pivot member is secured. .The openings 90 provide for ad ustment of slide with respectto the means for opernmnber TO properly for mandrels of diifers The fluid cylinder 83. is con trolled by valve mechanism ofany suitable type whereby the piston may be recipro'cated under the control of the operator. When piston is moved in a direction to project the piston rod 85 outwardly, the lever 86 and "inn; bar 89 will cause the slide 7 4 to "to .he left as seen in Figure 2, thereby. the bearing member '70 over the re-. duced end 1 1' of supported atboth ends during the op; 3 rotation thereof, while. the spring iismg coiled. When the'colllng operation has in the same so as to position the bearing.

the mandrel. The mandrel,

been completed, the operator manipulates the;

control valve of the cylinder 83 so as to re.- t'ractthe piston rod 85, thereby'moving the slide 74 to theright as viewed'in Figure2, and disengaging thesame from the mandrel. Immed ely upon disengaging the-bearing niembierftheoperator pulls the lever 81 out' wardly,"thereby unlatching the locking pi! 80 from the pedestal andipermittingthe same to downwardly onthe pivot 78 so that the bearing 70 will entirely clear the end of the mandrel to permit the stripping of'the finished coil spring: therefrom. The parts arc'restored to their initialoperative position by manually raising the pedestal, the same being provided with a hand grip member 91 for, conveniently, operatingthe same. The operatorswings the pedestali'fi to the ,Vertical position shown in FigureZ'and'then operates the lever 81 to 'engage the locking pin SOWith the. enlarged'scction 79 of the-pedesan to: hold the same n the vertical position. Before the ne zt coiling'operation, the slide 74 is moved'to itsinnermost position by means ofa'fluid operated cylinder andpiston'to engage the bearing. 70 in supporting. relation with the outer end ofthe mandrel.

To complete the forming ofthe end of the helical'coil as the barmaterialleaves the guiding means, I provide "means, under the control of the attendant, for pressing the bar material against 'the mandrel, This means isppre'ferably so designed as to also' elfect'squaringjof the endof the coilJhFor thiS P P S I employ a pressing member in the form of a flanged breakdown roller. 92

which is movable toward and away from the mandrel in afplane at right angles to the axis thereof; Suitable means is employed for operatively supporting the roller ,92 and the same includes an adjustable standard 93 supported on the framework of themachine'. The standard is provided with a base portion. having. inwardly extending spaced guide projections in the form of T- gguideways 9595 formed in castings 96 and 97 bolted to the side of the machine. The standard 93; is adjustable lengthwise of the machine by means of an adjusting screw 98 operated bya hand wheel 99, thescrew'having a ratchet member 100 thereonwith which.

a locking dog 101 cooperates in order to hold the screw in locked position after the standard has been properly adjusted; As most clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the

standard is located so that the upper portion hereof overhangs the mandrel19 inwardlyv of the end thereof. fit the upperendthe standard 93 is provided with a laterally pro-, ecting arm-portion .lOQ haVing a guideway 103 formed therein for aslide104 which is v adapted to reciprocate vertically in said ,Qiuide-Way in EtClllQCtlOlT radialto the man;

drcl- The upper end of the guidew'ay 103 is 110 shaped heads 94.-94 which-engage within 7 closed by a top plate 105 bolted to the same, the plate 105 having an adjusting screw 105 threaded herethrough and adapted to engage the top of the slide so as to limit the upward movement thereof. The breakdown roller 92 is supported at the bottom end of the slide 104 and is movable therewith. The roller 92 is mounted for free rotation on a stub shaft 107 fixed to the slide and extending laterally therefrom parallel to the mandrel. As most clearly shown in Figure 2, the roller 92 has an annular flange section 108 which is adapted to engage the outer end portion of the helical coil formed on the mandrel so as to dispose the edge of said coil in a plane substantially at rigat angles to the axisv of the mandrel. An operating lever member 109 has a slot and pin connection 110 with the slide 104. As will be evident. when the lever 109 is oscillated, the slide 104 will be reciprocated, the slot and pin connecion taking care of the relative lateral displacement of the parts during the operation. The lever 109 is keyed to a shaft 111 extending through the standard 102 and rotatably jourualed therein. 'At the opposite end the shaft 111 has a lever 112 fixed thereto. the outer end of the lever being pivotally connected to a link 113. The lever 112 is oscillated. by a fluid pressure controlled operating means including a fluid cylinder 114 secured to the side of the standard 93. The cylinder 114 has the usual piston member cooperating therewith, the piston having a piston rod 115 connected thereto which in turn is connected to the bottom end of the link 113 so that the link 113 will be reciprocated in unison with the piston and piston rod. The flu id pressure in the cylinder 114 is controlled by a valve 116 mounted on the arm portion 102 of the standard 93. The valve 116 has suitable pipe connections, as shown in Figure which lead from the source of supply to.

the valve and from the valve to the opposite ends of the cylinder 114. As will be obvious. when the valve 116 is properly manipulated the piston rod is moved either inwardly or outwardly of the cylinder, depending upon the position of sad valve. When it is desired to bring the breakdown roller 92 into engagement with the work on the mandrel, the valve 116 is manipulated so that the piston rod 115 wi l be moved upwardly, thereby swinging the lever 1.12 upwardly and the lever 109 downwardly, thereby forcing the slide downwardly along the guideway and bring the roller 92 into engagement with the v. .k. When the operation has been coi-npleted. the roller 92 is withdrawn by reversing the valve 116, causing the piston rod 115 to pull the lever 112 downwardly raising the lever 109 and the slide 104 which carries the roller 92. As will be evident, when the standard 93 has been adjusted for a definite sizeo'f spring, the same remains in that position until a different size of sprint) is to be coiled by the machine. Adjustments are made for different sizes of coils by moving the standard lengthwise of the fr the machine through the adjusting screw After proper adjustment, the standard is locked in position by the dog which coo ates with the adjustment screw, as herein before pointed out.

In order to control the starting one stopping of the machine, I mount a controller 212 for the electric motor 11 on the framework of the machine at a point convenient to the operator, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

The arrangement of controlling valves for operating the clamping jaw or linger of the chuck, the spindle or mandrel support and the means for returning the carriage 32 t 'ts initial position is diagrammatically il trated in Figure 11. In this figure, a cent ling valve 213 is shown which communicates with the clamping jaw ope .ating c: ,inder 55, a controlling valve 214 which communh cates with the cylinder 83 for operating the bearing support for the end of ti nrndrel 19, and a controlling valve 215 which com-- municates with the cylinocr 47 for returning the slide 82. The controlling valves 213, and 215 are of well-known t further description, they be b that when the same are m. pul operator fluid pressure will. be supplied M7 the proper end of the corresponding cylint er o reciprocate the piston and p ston rod of in the desired direction. These contoiling valves are not shown in the remai v of the drawing to avoid confusion, it b understood that the same are located. on machine frame 10 all within easy reach of operators of the machine.

In forming helically coiled spring improved machine, the bar mate which the coils are formed is $11 definite lengths so as to provide his proper length of coil.

These bars each have their opposite ends beveled before they the-mandrel oi the coiling mach' beveled edge portions at opposite ends of the finished coil are brought intoparallelism by the combined breakdown and fini. .lng roller 92. The bars are fed to the machine while in relatively highly heated condition so that they will readily coil about the mandrel wi guided thereto.

The operation of my improved coiling machine as follows: The operator length of heated bar through the open the guide member beneath the rel. bringing the beveled end 210 of the bar into engagement with the top of the mandrel, immediately beneath the clamping or jaw 52. With the bar in this position, the valve 213 is operated to supply tlui A to the proper side of the clamp opera inder 55 to reciprocate the slide 61 and m eratec. so as to reverse the fluid pr ssure in.

I spindle support control valveQl-l is then,

the clamping member 52 toward the mandrel, tlghtly gripping the leadlng end of the. bar 117. The clamping member 52 is maintained.

after the bar has been clamped to the mandrel, the controlling switch 212- for the electric motor is operated to start the machine,

At this time, the sectional nut 24 is in engagement with the threads of thescrew When the motor 11 is thrown into operation, the

mandrel shaft together with the attached mandrel 19 will be rotated in a direction to wind the bar 117 thereon. its the mandrel is rotated, the feed screw 22 will be rotated in unison therewith, thereby feeding the nut lengthwise outwardly of the mandrel and carrying the carriage 32 ther 1h. "The use of the mandrel at auinioi 111 rate, Q- rereby properly 7 spiral-coil of desired p tch about the mandrel 19. The machine attendant who has hnr 1, a 1 b'n1d 1. 0 gs 01 one operation or me real: oun roller-92 operates the valve 116 when the coiling operation 1S practically completed,

" that is when the rear end ofthe bar leaves the guide roller 41; The valve-116 is operated in such a manner that thepiston attached piston rod 115 of the cylinder 11- moved outwardly, thereby oscil ating vers 112 and 109 to depress the roller and bring the same into tight engagement with the rear end of the bar to force the same against the surface of the rotating mandrel. The flange 108 at this time engages the beveled end portion of the spring coil, thereby squaring the same with respect to the axis of said coil, that is bringing the end edge into a plane at right angles tothe longitudinal axis of the coil to form the finished spring; shown in Figure 15. When the coilin operation has been thus compl ted, the lever 4-3 engages the cam block 4%, thereby automatically disengaging: the sectional nut 24: from the screw feed and stopping movement of the carriage 32 and the guide roller a l moi ed thereon. [it the same time the operator manipulates the control 2 12 for the motor to stop the same and arre t rotat' of the mandrel 19. The valve 21o then again. op-

the Cylinder a retract the o;

wedge bar 61, thereby permitting the r 5s of the clamp .52 to. retract the same, the eby unclamping'the end of the coil.- The lied length guiding the bar 117 to form a nipulated sons to operate the. piston an ,piston rod 8510f the'cylind'er 83 to pull the sun ortin slide 74 outwardly awa from the J. t) u mandrel 19, thereby disengaging the bearing from the reduced journal portion 71 of the mandrel. v vl hen the slide has been moved to approximately theposition shown in Figure p a pin 80 by the lever 81, thereby permitting the pedestal on which the'bearin g 70 is mounted to swing downwardly through the action of gravity,

2, theoperator retracts the locking out of line with the mandrel 19. As will be ply fluid pressure to the cylinder 1d and pull the piston rod 49 thereof to the left as seen in Figure 2, thereby pulling the carriage 32v backwardly also through the medium of the connecting bar 51. After the oarriagehas been returned, the cylinder 14 is yented through the valve 215 so asto peryiit the feeding of the carriage by thescrew 22. liminary to the succeeding coiling operation, the pedestal 76is swung upwardly to the ver tical position shown in Figure 2 and the looking pin 80 reengaged so as to maintain the pedestahin' that position. The valvezl l is then manipulated to actuate the piston of the cylinder 83in sucha' direction as to return thei slide 'fll to its innermost position wherein the bearing; member, 70 engages about the journal 71 of the mandrel. Before beginning the nextcoiling operation, the nut 2 1 is reengaged with thescrew 22 by properly manipulating the lever 4-3. It is sometimes necessary to adjust the feed screw with respect to the nut so that the threads will interengage. A hand wheel'118 is provided'for this purpose, the same being fixed to the outer end of the shaft of the screw 22. As will be evident upon rotation of the hand wheel the screw22 will be rotated also, thereby bringing the threads of the screw into registration with the threads of the nut. With the parts adjusted'as described, the coiling operation, as hereinbefore set forth, is repeated.

, In this connection, it is pointed out that the lengths of bars from which the spiral springs are formed are fed to the mandrel in such a position that the faces of the beveled ends will be disposed \*ertically. When theleading endof a-bar is clamped to the mandred inthis position,- the beveled end face of the bar will lie in flat facecontaet with the outer sideof the chuclt 18. Ines much as the flange 108. of the breakdown roller 92 is disposed in a plane parallel to,

the beveled face thereof parallel to the beveled face at the opposite endof the coil.

To preventoverheating of the chuclr 18,

and mandrel, a water jet 119 is preferably provided. lhis may be 01 any suitable type and is s positioned above the chuck so that the same may be sprayed, between coiling operations to cool the same and the mandrel before the next coiling operation.

From the preceding description taken in connection with the drawings, it will be evi dent that l have provided an exceedingly ei" licient spring coiling machine which may be operated at high capacity so as to produce the maximum number of springs in a given pe riod oi time. By providing fluid control means for returning the carriage to its initial position, for operating the supporting bearing from too end of the mandrel, for operating the breakdown roller and also for opcrating the clamping jaw, all of these mechanisms are instantaneously operated, thereby etlecting a great saving in time. It is further pointed out that tie different control valves or" the machine may be operated simultaneously by ditt'erent operators so that the return of the guide die carrying member, the

operation of the supporting bearing for the end of the mandrel and the releasing oi the clamping jaw may be effected simultaneously, thereby greatly speeding up the operation of the machine.

. tion; clamping means for clamping the work to the mandrel; a reciprocating breakdown roller for finishing the end of the coil spring, said roller having means thereon for squaring the end of the coil to dispose the outer face of the beveled portion parallel to the outer face of the beveled portion at the opposite end of the coil; and fluid-operated means for actuating said breakdown roller.

2. In a coiling machine for forming springs from bar material, the combination with a rotary mandrel on which the spring member is coiled; of guioe means movable lengthwise of the mandrel for feeding a bar to the same; means for clamping the leading end of the bar; a movable bearing support for the free end of the mandrel; and fluid operated means for disengaging the bearing suppoft from the end of the mandrel to permit striy ping of the coil spring therefrom.

In a coiling n'iachine for forming spring members from bars, the combination witl a rotary mandrel; of a guide member mov able lengthwise of the mandrel to feed bar thereto; means for clamping c ca end of the bar to the mandrel; asuppoitin bearing for the free end of the mandrel: 3 means for moving said supporting bearin to engage the same with and disenga ug the same from the mandrel; a breakdown roller cooperating with the mandrel to finish the end of the coil; means for returning the guide member to initial position after each coil' operation; and fluid operated means for ac ating said clamping means, said mean moving the supporting bearing, said b ea down roller, and said means for returi' the guide member.

4. In a coiling machine for forming sp rig members from bars, the combination with rotary mandrel; of a guide member movable lengthwise of the mandrel to feed the bar thereto; fluid-operated means for clamoing the leading end of the bar to the mane l; a supporting bearing for the lree end of the mandrel; fluid-operated means for engagin said supporting bearing with and diseng gso ing the s me from the mandrel; fluid-ope"- ated breakdown roller means cooperating with. the mandrel to finish the end. of soring being coiled; and fluid-operated mean i for returning the guide member to initial position after each coiling operation.

5. In a spring coiling machine for 1 ing helically coiled springs from bars, combination with a rotary mandrel on wb the bar is coiled; of means cooperating w the mandrel for squaring the end of the coil while said mandrel is being rotated.

6. In a spring coiling machine for forming helically coiled springs from bars, the combination with a rotary mandrel on whicl said bar is coiled; of means for feeding (1": bar to the mandrel; and a reciprocating breakdown roller cooperating with the man drel for finishing the end of the coil, said roller being reciprocably mounted on a support.

7. In a spring coiling machine for forming helically coiled springs from bars, the combination with a rotary mandrel on which said bar is formed; of means for feedin .ihe bar to the mandrel; a reciprocating breakdown roller cooperating with the man iirel. said roller being slidably mounted on a fixed support for movement toward and away from the mandrel; and means for adjusting said support lengthwise of the mandrel operate on springs of different lengths.

8. In a machine for forming helically coiled springs from bar material, the '1- bination with a rotary mandrel; of a ch rotatable with the mandrel; a clamping mentreciprocably mounted on said chuck; wedge actuated means for moving clamping element toward the mend spring means for returning the same;

cylinder; piston means cooperating with the cylinder 7, for actuating the wedge means; and means for controlling the fluid pressure for operating said piston means;

springs, the combination with a rotary man- 'drel on which coiled sprlng members are formed, one end of said mandrel'being opera-.

tively connected to means for rotating the same, said mandrel having a bearing portion at the opposite end thereof; a bearing member for receiving and rotatably supporting the other end of the mandrel; and fluid operated means for moving said bearin 7 member out of engagement with the mandre to permit withdrawal therefrom of the finished coil spring.

10. In a machine for forming helically coiled springs, the combination with a rotary mandrel; of means connected to one end of the mandrel for rotating the same; a sliding support; a bearing member pivotally mounted on said support and adapted to engage and suppor the outer end of the mandrel; means for moving said sliding support to disengage the same from the mandrel, said bearing member being swingable on its pivot when disengaged from the mandrel to a position out of line with the mandrel to permit stripping of the finishedspring from the 11. In a machine for forming helically I, coiled springs, the combination with a rotary mandrel; of means connected to one end of the mandrel for supporting and rotating the same; a movable bearing engageable with the other end of the mandrel for rotatably supporting the same; and fluid operated means for reciprocating said bearing toward and away from the mandrel to respectively engage the same in supporting relation with the mandrel and disengage the same therefrom.

12. In a machine for forming helically coiled springs, the combination with a rotary mandrel; of means for rotating the mandrel; a support adjustable to different positions lengthwise of the mandrel; a breakdown roller on said support movable toward and away from the mandrel; a cylinder on said support; a fluid operated piston means cooperating'with the cylinder; and means for operativ'ely connecting the piston and roller for moving-the latter toward themandrel.

13. In a machine for vforming helically coiled springs from bars having the opposite ends beveled, the-combination with a rotary mandrel about which said bars are coiled; of a clamping chuck cooperating with the mandrel for grippingthe leading end of each bar with the beveled face thereof engaging the end of the bar being coiled on the mandrel,

said roller having means thereon engaging the beveled end portion of the coil to dispose the beveled face thereof parallel to the beveled face at the leading end of the coil.

In witnessvthat I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th 9. In a machine for forming helically coiled day of June, 1929. I

KEITH WILLIAMS. 

